Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Roman de la Rose
France, ca. 1370
MS M.120 fol. 1r

See more information »

Roman de la Rose: Scene, Lover sleeping -- In left compartment, nude Lover, wearing hat, head on pillow, resting on right arm, reclines in draped bed. Danger, as man wearing hood, raising right hand, holding club with left hand, stands next to the bed. Curtains hang behind them. Blue background decorated with gold fleur-de-lis.
Roman de la Rose: Scene, Lover pierced by Arrow of God of Love -- At right, in upper register, God of Love (Eros), as winged man, crowned, holds bow with left hand, flanked by trees and throne. Below, Lover, breast pierced by arrow, looking upward, raising right hand, kneels on one knee opposite woman, possibly personification of Beauty, with joined hands raised, kneeling.
Decorated initial M beginning text MAINTES GENS DIENT QUE EN SONGES / NAT SE FABLES NON ET MENSONGES.
All enclosed in rectilinear frame decorated with leafy vines; vine in upper margin terminating with body of dragon.